Gas purification



December 1930 .EJFQZETEQ stares rarest] GILBERT E. SEIL, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, AEiLSIGNOB T6 THE KOPPEES COMPANY,

OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA GAS PURIFICATION No Drawing. Applicationfiled June 11,

This invention relates to liquid purification of gas, such as coal gas, water gas and other ses, from hydrogen sulphide by means of alkaline solutions containing in suspension compounds of iron, nickel, or other metals the sulphides of which are normally insol uble. Such suspensionsare useful in the aeration or revivification of the said alkaline solutions by reason of the fact that, due to their stoichiometrical or catalytic influence inthe course of such aeration, free sulphur is liberated, therehy avoidinc' escape of hydrogen sulphide into the atmosphere. and rendering possible the recovery of a useful by-prodnot. In furtherance of such processes, additions of organic materials have been made in efforts to sustain certain metallic'conlpounds, such as hydroxidesin solution, or in colloidal solution. There are several advantages in having the metallic compound in this state. I .The dispersion of the compound particles,

and their diminution insize, increasing the surface exposed to contact, renders them muih more ctiective in reaction or catalytically, the tendency for them to settle: out is minimized, and the sulphur obtained is not contaminated with entrained foreign mineral material. .Howevcr, it has been difficult if not impible, to provide. means for permanently ma ntain ng suchsolutious in the presence. of soluble sulphides.

Solutions of compounds, such as ferric hydra e, are comparatively easy to obtain: various agents have been proposed and are claimed to be satisfactory. However, largescale tests orer'extcndcd. periods show that such prior solutions are not permanently stable in the )rescnce of soluble sul ihides. such as are absorbed by the alkaline absorbent agent from the gas being treated.

This has important eilects, notably as regards the function of the metallic compound in the. aeration or acti fication sta ge Catalysis, o far as I have been able to determine, of the said aeration stage, may be effected only by the sulphides of a metal, such sulphides being normally insoluble. Furthermore, in the case of iron certainly, and probably also in the case of nickel, such catalysis is possible only when the sulphide is present in solution,

1926. Serial is. 115,468.

or in colloidal solution, or at any rate in a state not precipitatahle by ordinary methods. No one prior to applicant has succeeded in producing a solution of a. normally insoluble metallic compound that is stable in alkaline solution in presence of dissolved sulphides. An object of the present invention is to provide metallic compounds or mixtures, that are soluble in alkaline solutions in the pres-- ence of soluble sulphides and other salts. Such soluble compounds, which are not necessarily in molecular ratio. may be partly orgarlic in nature. With respect to iron, the solutions of these materials may be designated presence of soluble sulphide, and capable of passing through an oxidation stage and into the sulphided form again, without loss in- .ralue or permanence.

An object of the 1. "esent invention is to provide an easy and suitable method of preparin a catalyst for such or other processes. A further object is the production of such material that may be shipped or stored in the dry state, prior to being used.

Still other obj ects of the present invention are to provide a source of organic material useful in. the preparation of alkaline metalhearing materials containing soluble sulphide that is cheap and readily obtainable, and to provide an easy and rapid method of modifyin; the said material.

T he invention further consists in such other new and useful improvements and has for further objects such other operative advantages or results as may be found to obtain in the. processes hereinafter described or claimed.

The materials which I prefer to use in the manufacture of my product are starch, which is preferablv modified by oxidation with asuitable oxidizing agent, such as nitric acid, and a compound of a metal the sulphide of which is normally insoluble, as for example, ferrous sulphate. In order that the invention may' he clearly set forth and understood, I describe a. preterred method of making the product of this invention.

10% parts of starch are thoroughly mixed in a kneading machine, or by hand, or in other suitable apparatus, with 14.0 parts of 52.3 per cent nitric acid. The mixture is heated until reaction proceeds of its own accord, which is indicated by the evolution of considerable quantities of red fume. During the course of reaction the said fume ispreferably disposedof by conducting it through an earthenware mixed with a suitable quantity of a soluble iron compound, for example, ferrous sulphate, which has been dried to remove enough of the water-of crystallization to compensate for the moisture contained by the modified starch. The mixing may be accomplished in any suitable manner, and care should be taken to avoid heating of the mass during this stage. When thoroughly mixed, the product is a dry granular substance, in convenient form for shipping or storing, in barrels or v the like.

It will be noted that have not given any quantity of iron compound. This is because the amount to be used will depend upon the ratio desired of such compound to the alkali and /or organic agent, which ratio varies considerably accordingto use and results desired. As a specific example, however, when itis desired to use a mixture with a ratio of one part of starch to five parts of iron, considered as Fe O 1750 parts of ferrous sulphate may be used with the amounts of starch and acid recited above.

The alkalinity of the gas purification solution, to which my product is to be added, is relied upon to accomplish theneutralization of my product. but where the material is to he added to a system containingno excess alkalinity, I prefer to neutralize the material prior to such additions. Such neutralization is preferably carried out by adding sufiicient alkali solution to the material to cause an alkaline reaction. I may use sodium and/or ammonium hydroxide or carbonate, or any other alkali, for such neutralization, but ordinarily, I prefer to use the same alkali as is used in the system to which the material is to be added.

- For gas purification purposes, I prefer to add enough of my material to produce a. liquid containing 0.06 to 0.1 per cent of iron, considered as F9 0 or the equivalent thereof, 0.1 to 2.0 per cent organic material, and up to 3.0 per cent alkali. In general, however, low alkalinities, as for instance 1.0 per cent, are preferable to insure against undue consumption of alkali.

I. have observed that the addition of large quantities of iron compound, as for example enough to produce a concentration of from 0.1 to 1.5 per cent of iron in the wash liquor, may be harmful in effect, causing a precipitalieu of the iron compound which it is desi to retain in the soluble form. Compa-ratir large concentrations of iron are therefon be avoided.

I have found that, when ferrous or ot compounds of low valence have been use( the preparation of the dry material, t should be oxidized as soon as they are pie in the alkaline liquid, and beiorethey placed in the solution containing soluble phides. In general, supplementary a'eral is necessary, and also may be advantage-101 resorted to in order to agitate the liquid to insure thorough mixing thereof. '1 may conveniently be accomplished in a p and /or separate aeration stage.

'Vv'hat happens upon neutralization is quite clear, but for convenience I. may reg the resultant soluble compound in the cas iron, as sodium ferrisacehara-te, though tl is reason to believe that the material does exist precisely, or wholly in this form. this reason, I prefer to use the term alka chalybeate solutions, as above recited.

The invention is not limited in pract-ic the use of starch and nitric acid as 0 organic substances, preferably carb drates, and other modifying and/or oxidi: a gents may be employed.

\Vhile, in the use of such materials in a purification process, I have found that t' are incidentally some losses of the iro: equivalent compound or catalyst, due to side reactions which inevitably occur, losses of the organic solution agent are paratively negligible. For this reason, a tions of a soluble metallic compound, for ample, ferric sulphate, may be made i time to time as is necessary or conven Without adding saccharate or other org material, which may be added in l( amounts and/or at less frequent interval the. proportion of organic material in compound prepared in the above manner be considerably decreased. 7

In practicing a gas purification proces cording to my invention, the gas to be pur is brought into intimate contact with ac: lating wash liquor in order to absorb noxious impurities, such as hydrogen phide, and the sulphided wash liquor is jected to aeration, out of contact with thl in the presence of the product of my in tion, and preferably with linely commin air, in order to regenerate the said liquor and liberate free sulphur which 1 to the surface, or if preferred, whic settled, or which may be filtered out. aerated wash liquor is then again used further purification of gas, completing cycle.

Vlhile I prefer to carry the aeratio oxidation stage to that pointat which so sulphides have been eliminated, without dation of the metallic substance, I have t that the stability of my compounds is such that they may be partially oxidized without precipitation thereof. Upon coming once more into the presence of soluble sulphides,

' as for example in the absorption tower, the

original state is regained.

The apparatus used for the purification of gas according to the improvements of the present invention does not differ from that ordinarily used in liquid purification of gas by means of an alkaline iron suspension.

The invention as hereinaboveset forth is embodied in particular mannerv but may he variously embodied Within the scope of the claims hereinafter made.

I claii'o:

1. A new composition of matter which con sists of an iron compound intimately mixed with saccharate capable of sustaining the sulphide of said iron compound in solution in an alkaline solution in the presence of dissolved sulphides.

2. A new composition of matter consisting of a dry granular substance prepared by mixing an iron compound with an oxidized carbohydrate.

3. A new composition of matter prepared by mixing an iron compound with an oxidized starch.

4. A new composition of matter prepared by mixing an iron compound with a carhehyd rate whichhas been modified by oxidation with nitric acid.

5. A new composition of matter-prepared by mixing a ferrous compound with an oxidized starch, and oxidizing the resultant mixture to convert the iron present to the ferric state. i

6. A new composition of matter prepared by mixing a. ferrous compound with an oxidized starch, and oxidizing the resultant mixture to convert the iron present to the ferric state, and neutralizing the said mixture.

7. In the preparation of alkaline solutions of iron sulphides, the improvement which consists in cominingling an iron compound with an oxidized starch.

8. In the preparation of alkaline solutions of iron sulphides, the improvement which consists in conimingling an iron compound with an oxidized starch, and bringing the product into the presence of a soluble sul phide.

9. In a process for purifying gas from hydrogen sulphide by wash liquors, the improvement which consists in: maintaining a saccharate in the liquid used for such purpose and adding thereto as necessary an iron compound to maintain a content in said wash liquor of not more than 0.1% of iron in solution.

10. In a process for purifying gas from hydrogen sulphide by wash liquors, the improvement which consists in: maintaining 0.1 to 2.0 per cent of organic solution agent in the liquid used for such purpose, and adding thereto as necessary an iron comp to maintain a content in said wash liqu not more than 0.1% of'iron in solution 11. In purification of gas from hydr sulphide by Wash liquors the steps which sist in: Washing the gas with a solution taining up to 0.1 per cent alkali, from to not more than 0.1 per cent of iron, from 0.1 to 2.0 per cent of an organic r rial capable of sustaining the said irc alkaline solution; and revivifying the solution by aeration out of contact witl gas.

12. In the preparation of a catalytic terial for the oxidation of sulphided alk liquids, the improvement which consist mixing an iron compound that is to pro the catalyst with an oxidized starch car of maintaining the said catalyst in alk:

solution; and neutralizing the said mix 13. A process as claimed in claim 12 in which the iron compound that is to duce the catalyst is of lower than no valence and is raised to normal or a valence by oxidation in alkaline solut-ic 14. A process as claimed in claim 12 in which the compound that is to produci catalyst is ferrous sulphate.

15. A process as claimed in claim 12, in which the neutralization is efl'ected by alkaline liquid which is to carry the cata 16. In the preparation of a catalytic terial for the oxidation of sulphided alk: liquids, the improvement which consist: mixing an iron compound that is to pro the catalyst with a material containin; oxidized carbohydrate capable of maini ing the said catalyst in solution; and tralizing the same, the iron compound b in proportions to maintain a content in solution of not more than 0.1% of iron.

17. In the manufacture of a material i used forthe preparation of alkaline cha eate solutions, the improvement which sists in: mixing a previously dried iron pound with an oxidation product of sta in such proportion as to yield a solid proc' 18. In the manufacture of a material t used for the preparation of alkaline cha eate. solutions, the improvement which sists in: mixing a previously dried iron c pound with an oxidation product of sta in such proportion as to yield a solid P not, and subsequently neutralizing said p not.

19. A recess of purifying gases of hy gen sulpliide which consists in: washing gas with an alkaline wash liquor contaii an iron content of substantially not 11 than 0.1% and containing oxidized sti capable of sustaining said iron in such n liquor, aerating the spent liquor and turning such aerated wash liquor for fur; treatment of gas.

20. A process of purifying gases of hy( gen sulphide which consists in: washing the gas with an alkaline liquid containing an oxidized carbohydrate anda sulphided compound of iron, regenerating the wash liquor with air and returning the regenerated wash liquor for further treatment of gas.

21. A process of regenerating sulphided wash liquors consisting in aerating such liquors while containing an oxidized carbohydrate and a sulphided compound of iron. 22. A process of regenerating sulphided wash liquors consisting in aerating such liquors while containing an iron compound in 'suchproportions that precipitation of the sulphide thereof does not occur and an oxidized starch capable of sustaining such compound in solution insuch liquor 1n the presence of soluble sulphides.

23. A process of regenerating sulphided wash liquors consisting in aerating such liquors while containing a normally lnsoluble iron sulphide and an oxidized starch ca-' my hand.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto GILBERT E. SEII pable of preventing precipitation of iron sulphide from the solution.

24. A- process as claimed in claim 23, and

in which the sulphide in solution is ferric sulphide.

25. A process as claimed in claim 23, and

centration of from 0.01 to 0.10 per cent.

26. In the purification of gas of hydrogen sulphide the improvement which consists in washing the gas with an alkaline wash liquor containing iron sulphide and an oxidized starch to maintain the iron sulphide in stable solution.

27. Mixing starch with nitric acid; heatinvrhich the iron content .is'present in con ing the mixture to efiect their reaction; cooling the mixture after their reaction is com-- plcte; mixing this mixture with a dry soluble iron compound to produce a'dry granular substance.

28. Mixing starch with nitric acid; heating the mixture to effect their reaction; cooling the mixture after their reaction is complete; mixing this mixture with a dry soluble iron compound to produce a. dry granular substance; neutralizing such granular substance in solution and washing gas with it to remove noxious constituents.

. 29. Mixing starch with nitric acid; heat- I 111g the mixture to effect their reaction; cooling the mixture; mixing this mixture with dry ferrous sulphateto produce a dry granular substance.

30. As a product, a mixture ohtained'by mixing oxidized starch and dry ferrous sulphate.

31. As a product a mixture obtained by mixing starch, nitric acid and ferrous sulphate.

32. As a dry, solid product, a mixture of an oxidized carbohydrate, an iron compound.

33. As a product, a mixture of an iron compound and an oxidized starch which is 

